• Finland is three times the size of Ohio, according to Info Please.finland flag button image by Andrey Zyk from Fotolia.com
  
  Finland is a northern European country with a wide cultural history. It has long been a republic but had suffered during Russian occupation prior to World War II and was conquered by Hitler during the war. Its people have a strong independent streak, indicated by their policy of neutrality during the Cold War. Although their country is cold, they have many outside backyard games.
  
  

Finnish Baseball

• Finnish baseball or Pesäpallo is considered the national sport for Finland and is very similar to baseball. However, the layout of the field is much different than in baseball. The bases are set up in a rectangle that can vary depending on the size of your backyard. It has no pitcher's mound; players throw the ball straight up into the air and attempt to hit it. The opposing players in the field try to catch the ball. The runner tries to get to the first base before the ball reaches the base. If he cannot, he is out. Players must run to the next base when the ball is hit. Catching the ball doesn't count as an out. Instead, all running players not on bases must return to the home base. This doesn't count as an out. Players are simply removed from the field. After three outs, the teams switch positions, like in baseball. Play up to nine innings.
  
  

Ten Sticks

• Ten sticks is a simple game that is perfect for younger children. They can play it in any size playground or backyard and it requires just a little set up. Players take a small wooden board and place it on a round stick. They then lay 10 small sticks on top of the board. Players select a "seeker" and a "pounder." The seeker turns his back on the rest of the players. The pounder stomps on the board as hard as possible. This sends all of the sticks flying into the air. The seeker must grab all of the sticks and place them back on the board as quickly as possible. The rest of the players, including the pounder, must hide somewhere before the seeker places all of the sticks on the board. If the seeker catches anybody who isn't hiding, that person is out of the game. The seeker can't move from his spot but if he can spot a player hiding from his position he can call out her name and position to catch her.
  
  

Stone Tag

• This simple tag game is traditionally played on stones in Finland but players can use any "base" areas. Pick a tagger and have everyone else stand on the stones or the bases. While players are standing on the stones, they are safe from being tagged. The tagger walks along the ground around and in between the stones watching for player movement. Players try to switch spots with each other by changing stones. If the tagger tags a player when he is off the stone, he becomes the next tagger and the tagger gets on the empty stone. Try to find stones that are far enough apart to make leaving the stones a challenge. To give players an impetus to leave their stones, you may want to have flags or other objects available to grab. Gathering a flag can count as a point. Keep track of points to decide on a winner.